UNPACK This...Classic Sports Movies and Timeless TruthSample

Space Jam

The plot of the movie, Space Jam, centers around Michael Jordan having to save the Looney Tunes by taking on alien cartoons in a basketball game.

These aliens were initially tiny creatures until they stole the basketball abilities of NBA stars, turning them into the “Monstars. This sets up an epic matchup between the Monstars and the Jordan-led Looney Tunes.

Meanwhile, the NBA stars who have lost their abilities, are lost, confused, and frustrated. This causes them to stop playing as they try to figure out what’s going on with them.

Sadly, many people today walk around with something even more important than basketball skills stolen from them. The world, Satan, tough circumstances, and evil people are out to steal our joy and peace.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

So, are we experiencing abundant life with Jesus? Or, are we walking around wondering where our joy, peace, and hope are?

True joy and peace are found in Jesus. As His followers, we must walk by the Spirit and yield to the Spirit so we continue to experience all the benefits that He offers.

Paul writes in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”

Today, let’s be encouraged to walk by the Spirit so we can feel joyful and peaceful.

As we acknowledge that we’re up against a real enemy, let’s respond accordingly with the action found in Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to have the lasting peace and joy that are only found in You. I pray You’d help me not allow anything to steal them from me. I pray I would walk by the Spirit as I also trust in the power of Christ within me. Help me to put on the right armor each day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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